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NDTV
9 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Opinion: Beyond The Mat - Yoga, The Return To The Centre
What is Yoga? You hear a familiar answer: a way to stay fit, reduce stress, or maybe a sequence of well-practised postures. You see glossy images: flexible bodies on Yoga mats, people meditating with closed eyes and calm faces. The worn-out cliche rings hollow: the union of mind, body and soul. Suppose Yoga were about the physical demonstrations that we are incessantly subjected to. Why would Arjuna, one of the physically fittest and finest warriors of his time, stand helpless on the battlefield? Why would Shri Krishna, the Yogeshwar, speak at length about Yoga not to someone physically unfit or unwell, but to someone already as physically competent as Arjuna? Yoga must mean something else. Yoga Through Krishna: Five Foundational Verses That Define It Let's turn to the Gita, not through interpretations, but through Shri Krishna's own words. These five verses open a different window into what Yoga truly means. 1. Renouncing attachment, and keeping the same attitude towards success and failure, you must act. This equanimity of mind is Yoga. Krishna isn't saying, "Accept whatever happens." He's asking us to drop the idea of winning or losing altogether. Not detachment after chasing goals-but freedom from the need to chase at all. Yoga here is about being free of the inner compulsion to chase outcomes, unaffected by inner turbulence. 2. True Yoga is when action comes from inner clarity - when actions are performed with equanimity and wisdom, they do not bind one. This "clarity" Krishna speaks of isn't about being sharp or strategic. It's the freedom to act without the ego pulling the strings. Even admired actions, if done with self-interest, stir up inner noise. But when action flows from detachment and understanding, it leaves no scar. Whatever quietens the ego is virtue. Whatever feeds it is sin. Yoga is when your core remains undisturbed, even as you act. 3. He who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is wise among men; he is a Yogi and a true performer of all actions. Krishna redefines action here. Most of our "doing" is reactive, compulsive, anxious movement without clarity. Though outwardly busy, we're inwardly inert. That's inaction in action. And when something shifts quietly inside - not out of emotion, but out of understanding - that's action in inaction. Yoga begins when we're no longer taken in by appearances and start looking at what's really driving us. 4. When the renunciate, having given up all desires and resolves, is no longer attached to sense objects or actions, then he is truly said to be established in Yoga. A yogi doesn't fight urges, he just sees through them. There's no rush to get something or become someone. He acts when there's clarity, and stays still when there is none. It's not suppression, it's the absence of inner pressure. The one who used to be driven is simply not there anymore. 5. He who is satisfied by knowledge and realisation, who is steady, self-controlled, and regards a lump of clay, a stone, and gold alike-he is a yogi. Here is Krishna's complete image of the yogi: one whose knowledge is not academic, but alive. He is not pretending to be calm - there's nothing left in him to be agitated. He doesn't crave applause, nor does insult shatter him. What's valuable or worthless to the world doesn't disturb his vision. His eyes don't flicker. His mind doesn't chase. That's Yoga. So, What Is Yoga? Yoga is not something you do - it's what remains when falsehood falls away. It is the union, through conscious acsendence, of your current (ordinary and lowly) state with your highest possibility. You can hold a pose, repeat a chant, or study scripture. But if your actions are still driven by fear, comparison, or insecurity, it's not Yoga - it's ego in disguise. Even spirituality can become another of the ego's tactics. That's why Yoga begins in honesty: "Why am I really doing this?" "Is it freeing me, or feeding my image?" Yoga is Not an Isolated Practice - It Must Pervade Your Entire Life It's tempting to treat Yoga like a morning ritual: before coffee, before emails. But it's not a wellness hack. Yoga is a fundamental shift in perception - when you begin seeing through the false. You can't spend your day driven by restlessness and expect peace from a few minutes of breathwork. Yoga isn't an act of willpower. It is submission to truth by way of resolute rejection of the false. Not greater effort, but deeper honesty. That honesty must inform your conversations, decisions, and relationships. Otherwise, it remains just another ritual: comfortable, but hollow. The Ego Can Hijack Yoga The ego is cunning. It will use anything, even Yoga, to sustain itself. You may start with good intent. But soon you want to "master" poses, impress others, be admired for being 'spiritual'. And Yoga becomes another project, another chase. But Yoga isn't here to refine the ego. It is here to dissolve it. When you start asking honestly - What am I chasing? That's when the real practice begins. The Inner Victory Krishna uses the term 'vijitendriya', who has conquered the senses. But victory doesn't mean suppression. You don't overcome the senses by fighting them; you outgrow them. When the ego stops craving pleasure and approval from the world, the senses stop rebelling. When the heart finds something real, the rest naturally settles. It's not denial, it's dissolution. When the false drops, nothing remains to control. This Yoga Day, Don't Just Celebrate. Inquire. Mass gatherings will happen. People will pose, chant, and post hashtags. But real Yoga doesn't begin in a group. It begins with honest observation. So take a moment, not to just display stillness, but to truly understand it. Ask: "Am I more at ease than last year?" "Have I moved toward simplicity or complication?" "Do my actions reflect deeper clarity?" If the answer is yes, even hesitatingly, then something false is already dropping. Stay with it. If not, just see that clearly. That seeing itself is the beginning. Because Yoga isn't a display. It's the quiet undoing of all that is false. (Acharya Prashant, a modern Vedanta exegete and philosopher, is a national bestselling author, columnist, and founder of the PrashantAdvait Foundation. An IIT-IIM alumnus, he is a recipient of the OCND Award from the IIT Delhi Alumni Association for outstanding contribution to national development.)
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
UP has become land of expressways from bimaru state: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 20 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the state government on Friday and said that it is working towards fulfilling the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by the year 2046. CM Yogi asserted that Uttar Pradesh has changed its reputation and has become a state of 'expressways' from a 'bimaru' state. CM Yogi inaugurated the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh on Friday, connecting several districts to Gorakhpur including Azamgarh. He recalled the time when people were afraid of the name of Azamgarh but expressed his happiness that it has joined the path of 'development'. 'The double engine government of the BJP is working to fulfil the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by Pradesh has now made its reputation as a state with expressways from a 'Bimaru' years ago, people were afraid to take the name of Azamgarh, has now joined the path of Expressway was inaugurated by PM Modi in 2021', CM Yogi said. Critising the previous state government, CM Yogi Adityanath said that the work of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was half done but during his tenure projects related to six expressways in the state have been completed. 'The work on the Agra Lucknow Expressway was half done. Today I am happy to tell you that we have completed six projects. You are witnessing the journey of the Purvanchal Expressway. We are continuously building it since 2021. In 2022, the Bundelkhand Expressway has been started. It is 300 km long. The 340 km long Purvanchal Expressway has already been completed and its connectivity to Patna is about to be completed. Now remember how easy the connectivity from Patna to Lucknow and Lucknow to Delhi will become', CM Yogi said. He stated that the 340 km-long Purvanchal Expressway is about to extend its connectivity to Patna. He called freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh and said that if the Purvanchal Expressway had been built in 1857, India would have become independent at that time. 'When Veer Kunwar Singh, the hero of the first war of independence in 1857, fought the British till Azamgarh to defeat them, there was no connectivity. If this Purvanchal Expressway had been there at that time, the people of Azamgarh would have beaten the British along with Veer Kunwar Singh and then this country would have become independent in 1857 itself. There was no connectivity at that time', he added. Hailing Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua, during his tenure as the MP of Azamgarh, CM Yogi stated that when he was sent to the Parliament, a music college in Hariharpur was approved. He attacked the opposition and asserted that people who made Azamgarh a 'stronghold' of terror didn't have enough time to honour the black pottery, sarees and music of the district. 'He was sent to the country's parliament, and as soon as Dinesh Lal Yadav became an MP, we approved a music college in Hariharpur. Just think, in Hariharpur, a gharana of this music needed recognition. The Kayan Badal dance was performed by all the MLAs here together, but those who had made Azamgarh a stronghold of terror could not find them. They did not have enough time to honour black pottery, to honour the sarees of Azamgarh, to honour the music department of Hariharpur village, to give a university to Azamgarh, to connect Azamgarh with air connectivity', CM Yogi added. (ANI)
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UP has become land of expressways from bimaru state: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
UP has become land of expressways from bimaru state: UP CM Yogi Adityanath (Image: ANI) AZAMGARH: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the state government on Friday and said that it is working towards fulfilling the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by the year 2046. CM yogi asserted that Uttar Pradesh has changed its reputation and has become a state of "expressways" from a "bimaru" state. CM Yogi inaugurated the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh on Friday, connecting several districts to Gorakhpur including Azamgarh He recalled the time when people were afraid of the name of Azamgarh but expressed his happiness that it has joined the path of "development" "The double engine government of the BJP is working to fulfil the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047... Uttar Pradesh has now made its reputation as a state with expressways from a 'bimaru' state.. Eight years ago, people were afraid to take the name of Azamgarh, UP.. Azamgarh has now joined the path of development... Purvanchal Expressway was inaugurated by PM Modi in 2021", CM Yogi said Critising the previous state government, CM Yogi Adityanath said that the work of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was half done but during his tenure projects related to six expressways in the state have been completed. "The work on the Agra Lucknow expressway was half done. Today I am happy to tell you that we have completed six projects. You are witnessing the journey of the Purvanchal Expressway. We are continuously building it 300 km long. The 340km long Purvanchal Expressway has already been completed and its connectivity to Patna is about to be completed. Now remember how easy the connectivity from Patna to Lucknow and Lucknow to Delhi will become" CM Yogi said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He stated that the 340 km- long Purvanchal Expressway is about to extend its connectivity to Patna. He called freedom fighters Veer Kumar Singh and said that if the Purvanchal Expressway had been built in 1857, India would have become independent at that time. "When Veer Kunwar Singh, the hero of the first war of independence in 1857, fought the British till Azamgarh to defeat them, there was no connectivity. If this Purvanchal expressway had been there at that time, the people of Azamgarh would have beaten the British along with Veer Kunwar Singh and then this country would have become independent in 1857 itself. There was no connectivity at that time", he added Hailing Dinesh lal Yadav Nirahua, during his tenure as the MP of Azamgarh, CM Yogi stated that when he was sent to the parliament, a music college in Hariharpur was approved. He attacked the opposition and asserted that people who made Azamgarh a "stronghold" of terror didn't have enough time to honour the black pottery, sarees and music of the district. "He was sent to the country's parliament, and as soon as Dinesh Lal Yadav became an MP, a gharana of this music college in Hariharpur. Just think, in Hariharpur a gharana of this music needed recognition. the Kayan Badal dance was performed by all the MLAs here together, but those who had made Azamgarh a stronghold of terror could not find them. They did not have enough time to honour black pottery, to honour the sarees of Azamgarh, to honour the music department of Hariharpur village, to give a university to Azamgarh, to connect Azamgarh with air connectivity", CM Yogi added.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Gorakhpur Link Expressway inaugurated: Check route, toll charges, opening date, entry and exit points
Gorakhpur Link Expressway Key routes: Live Events What are starting and ending points? Starting point: Jaitpur (District-Gorakhpur) NH-27 Ending Point: Salarpur (District Azamgarh) at Purvanchal expressway. (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the Gorakhpur Link Expressway on Friday, marking a major boost to road connectivity in India's most populous expressway connects Jaitpur near National Highway-27 in Gorakhpur to Salarpur in Azamgarh, linking directly to the Purvanchal expressway. It passes through four districts—Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, and as a four-lane, fully access-controlled road, the expressway is designed for future expansion to six Gorakhpur Link Expressway stretches from Jaitpur (near NH-27) in Gorakhpur to Salarpur in Azamgarh, where it gets connected to the Purvanchal four districts — Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar and Azamgarh — the fully access-controlled, four-lane expressway is designed for future expansion to six project, including land acquisition, costs Rs 7,283.28 was divided into two phases -- Jaitpur to Phulwaria (48.317 km) by APCO Infratech Pvt Ltd and Phulwaria to Salarpur (43.035 km) by Dilip Buildcon Ltd The expressway will reduce travel time between Gorakhpur city and its southern areas such as Urwa, Dhuriyapar, Khajni and Belghat, the statement from Gorakhpur to Urwa, which currently takes around an hour, will now take just 20–25 minutes via the expressway. Moreover, the expressway provides a swift and convenient route from Gorakhpur to its access-controlled design and linkage to the Purvanchal Expressway, the journey from Gorakhpur to Lucknow will take just about three and a half hours. The route also offers improved connectivity to Delhi and Agra, ensuring a faster and safer travel toll charges are yet to be announced by the government. However, it is expected that the charges could be similar to that of Purvanchal Yogi Adityanath said that the work of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was half done but during his tenure projects related to six expressways in the state have been completed."The work on the Agra Lucknow Expressway was half done. Today I am happy to tell you that we have completed six projects. You are witnessing the journey of the Purvanchal Expressway. We are continuously building it since 2021. In 2022, the Bundelkhand Expressway has been started. It is 300 km long. The 340 km long Purvanchal Expressway has already been completed and its connectivity to Patna is about to be completed. Now remember how easy the connectivity from Patna to Lucknow and Lucknow to Delhi will become", CM Yogi stated that the 340 km-long Purvanchal Expressway is about to extend its connectivity to Patna.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gorakhpur Link Expressway to become gateway for development in Purvanchal
Gorakhpur : The Gorakhpur Link Expressway is seen as a new gateway for the development of Purvanchal. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate it on Friday. The inauguration ceremony will take place at both ends of the 92km-long expressway, near Salarpur in Azamgarh and Bhagwanpur toll plaza in Gorakhpur. After inaugurating the expressway and addressing a public gathering at the Azamgarh end, the CM will travel along the expressway to the Gorakhpur end, where he will also formally inaugurate it and address another gathering. The Gorakhpur Link Expressway will open up immense possibilities for development. It starts near Jaitpur on NH-27 in Gorakhpur and connects with the Purvanchal Expressway at Salarpur in Azamgarh. This fully access-controlled expressway passes through four districts: Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, and Azamgarh. It is constructed as a four-lane highway, with the potential to expand to six lanes in the future. The project, including land acquisition, cost 7,283.28 crore rupees. The expressway is built in two packages: from Jaitpur in Gorakhpur to Phulwaria in Ambedkar Nagar (48.317 km) and from Phulwaria to Salarpur in Azamgarh (43.035 km). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders trust IC Markets for CFD trading IC Markets Sign Up Undo The first package was constructed by Apco Infratech Private Limited, and the second by Dilip Buildcon Limited. The expressway will set an example for ease of travel. Locally, it will significantly reduce travel time for residents heading to southern Gorakhpur (Uruwa, Dhuriapar, Khajni, Belghat). Currently, it takes an hour to travel from Gorakhpur headquarters to Uruwa, but with the expressway, it will take only 20 to 25 minutes. Moreover, the expressway offers an excellent and time-efficient option for traveling from Gorakhpur to Lucknow. Being an access-controlled route, the journey from Gorakhpur to Lucknow via the Purvanchal Expressway can be completed in three and a half hours. Additionally, this connectivity allows travelers to enjoy a seamless journey from Lucknow to Delhi and Agra. It promises to be both speedy and safe. After inaugurating the Gorakhpur Link Expressway and addressing a public gathering in Salarpur, Yogi will begin his journey along the expressway. He will stop at the bridge over the Ghaghra River at Kamharighat for a 10-minute inspection. The CM will cover about 86km on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway. During the program at Bhagwanpur toll plaza, Yogi will flag off the security fleet of UPEIDA. This fleet, aimed at ensuring passenger safety on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, includes 5 Innovas, 5 campers, 4 ambulances, 2 cranes, and 1 Hydra vehicle. The CM will also plant saplings near the Bhagwanpur toll plaza to commemorate the occasion.
